Oconee County sheriff: Tucker Hipps investigation nearly complete

The investigation into the death of Clemson student Tucker Hipps is nearly finished, with toxicology tests and an analysis of digital information completed, Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said.

"I hope soon to sit down with the solicitor to review the facts of the case and we will at that point in time release the report to the public," the sheriff said.

Hipps died on Sept. 22 during an early morning run with members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and his body was found in Lake Hartwell, below the twin bridges across Lake Hartwell on State 93, authorities have said.

Crenshaw said in the immediate aftermath that no evidence of hazing had surfaced, but he said Monday that hazing allegations are part of the investigation.

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"My statement that I said previously at that point in the investigation -- we didn't have any evidence to indicate that hazing was an issue," he told The Greenville News. "There's been some allegations of hazing but until our investigation is complete I think it would be inappropriate to comment on it at this time."

The family has asked that the toxicology report not be released now, Oconee Coroner Karl Addis said.

"We're waiting on them to get the entire investigation before we disclose anything," Trevor White, an attorney for Hipps' family said.

Crenshaw said investigators wanted to give as much time as possible for anonymous tips before wrapping up the investigation.

"We felt that was an important aspect with fraternities and with relationships at colleges," he said. "Sometimes if somebody knows some information they won't come forward because of that friendship, because of that relationship with a fraternity."

After CrimeStoppers of Oconee put up a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, the Sheriff's Office received about three tips that investigators are following up on, Crenshaw said.

The Sheriff's Office also has been analyzing information from cell phones, laptops and social media that has moved the case forward, he said.

"We tried to retrieve information such as Twitter, such as Facebook, chat rooms. All of this information plays a role in modern day investigations," he said.

"We do have some information that we've received as a result of the digital evidence. To avoid any speculation just don't want to comment on the extent of it at this point."

"We're getting close," he said. "A lot of progress has been made on the case."